Filipino banana growers could soon gain access to advanced artificial intelligence and drone technologies as Japanese agri-tech company E-SupportLink Ltd. moves to expand its operations in the Philippines, potentially accelerating efforts to modernize one of the country’s most important export industries.
The planned expansion was discussed during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s official visit to Japan, where Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. met with E-SupportLink Executive Vice President Hiroyuki Fukatsu and company officials on May 27.
The initiative builds on the firm’s ongoing collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Science and Technology, and banana industry stakeholders in Mindanao.
The partnership is testing drones, AI-powered image analysis, and digital monitoring systems aimed at improving plantation management and crop productivity.
A key component of the project is the early detection of Fusarium infections, one of the most destructive diseases affecting banana plantations worldwide.
Using drone-generated images and AI-assisted analysis, farmers can monitor plantations in real time, identify disease outbreaks earlier, and take corrective action before crop losses escalate.
The expansion comes as the Philippines seeks to strengthen its position in the global banana trade after reclaiming its rank as the world’s second-largest banana exporter in 2025. Industry players have increasingly turned to technology to address challenges ranging from plant diseases and climate risks to rising production costs and labor shortages.
Roque said the project supports the government’s push to enhance agricultural productivity through innovation and digitalization.
Beyond bananas, discussions also explored applying AI-based technologies to coconut, cacao, and pineapple production, signaling broader opportunities for precision agriculture in the country.
If successfully scaled, the initiative could help improve farm efficiency, reduce crop losses, and bolster the competitiveness of Philippine agricultural exports in global markets.
Both sides expressed optimism about expanding Philippines-Japan cooperation in AI-driven agricultural modernization.
